智能监控系统对大型牧场奶牛繁殖性能影响的研究

安乐福智能监控系统是基于大数据、物联网及机械智能学习等高科技技术基础上研发而得的一项新的智能监控技术。在澳亚集团东营神州澳亚万头牧场展开了为期6 个月的试验,以研究安乐福智能监控系统在中国大型牧场的应用对繁殖性能的影响。试验结果表明,该智能监控系统可以完全替代人工涂蜡笔进行发情揭发工作,有效降低繁殖人员的工作强度,合计配次受胎率、情期受胎率、发情揭发率和21天怀孕率分别提高10 个百分点、10 个百分点、3 个百分点、4 个百分点,提高夜间的发情揭发率和受胎率,进而有助于繁育效率的改善。     

同期排卵程序对荷斯坦牛繁殖效率的影响

选择产后40d以上未妊娠的健康、膘情良好、无明显繁殖疾病的荷斯坦牛113头,根据产后天数、胎次随机分成2个试验组,其中试验Ⅰ组50头,采用同期排卵程序处理,试验Ⅱ组63头,不采取任何处理,自然发情并配种,然后观察两组牛的发情和配种受胎情况。结果表明,同期排卵程序组发情率为76.00%,比自然发情组高18.86个百分点,差异显著(P<0.05),但21d妊娠率前者显著高于后者;同期排卵程序组与自然发情组情期受胎率分别为56.26%、50.00%,差异不显著(P>0.05);同期排卵程序组中黏液好的奶牛受胎率为59.09%,黏液差的为50.00%,差异不显著(P>0.05)。可见,同期排卵程序可以比自然发情获得更高的发情率和21日妊娠率,适合在牧场中广泛应用,并可以作为重要的牧场管理方法。     

LRH-A3对乏情青年母猪繁殖性能的影响

选择100头长×大乏情青年母猪,随机分为两组(试验组和对照组)每组各50头,应用外源性激素LRHA3对乏情母猪进行发情调节,比较乏情母猪的发情率、受胎率、断奶发情间隔、窝产仔数等指标。研究结果表明:LRHA3处理后,母猪的发情率、受胎率分别为93.76%和95.56%,比对照组分别提高了30.13%(P<0.01)和9.85%(P<0.05);母猪断奶发情间隔的平均天数为7.56d,比对照组缩短了7.07d(P<0.01);母猪第一胎、第二胎窝均产活仔数比对照组分别多2.11头(P<0.05)、1.94头(P<0.05)。由此可见,LRHA3对乏情母猪发情调节作用显著。     

TIT双羔素免疫提高辽宁绒山羊繁殖力的研究

500只3～4岁纯种辽宁绒山羊适繁母羊被随机分为2组,试验组396只,注射双胎素,对照组104只,注射等量生理盐水.结果表明,试验组母羊总发情率与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),但第一情期发情率极显著(P＜0.01)高于对照组,第二情期发情率极显著(P＜0.01)低于对照组;试验组的双羔率高于对照组34.4个百分点(P＜0.01),差异极显著;试验组与对照组在受胎率上和羔羊成活率上的差异不显著(P＞0.05).表明:双胎素(TIT)免疫辽宁绒山羊的效果良好.     

全混合日粮技术在规模化奶牛养殖小区的饲养试验

试验选用16头中国荷斯坦经产健康奶牛,按配对试验设计要求,根据产奶量、泌乳天数、胎次和体重相近的原则分为试验组和对照组,两组日粮组成与营养水平基本一致,研究全混合日粮技术对奶牛泌乳性能与经济效益的影响。试验结果表明:试验组全期平均泌乳量比对照组高0.72 kg(3.15%),差异不显著(P>0.05),4%标准乳高1.56 kg(7.73%),差异显著(P<0.05)。乳脂率、乳蛋白率、乳糖和乳固形物含量分别比对照组提高8.07%、4.61%、4.16%、5.38%。经济效益分析表明,试验组奶牛每天每头较对照组多增收纯利2.71元。     

大麦粉替代不同比例玉米对奶牛生产性能的影响

选取泌乳天数、体重、产奶量相近的荷斯坦高产泌乳牛340头,随机分为试验组和对照组两组,每组170头。试验时间共28d,对照组全期饲喂全混合配方日粮(TMR),试验组分四阶段进行,每阶段7d,分别饲喂以10%、20%、30%、40%粉碎大麦粉替代玉米的TMR。结果发现:随着大麦粉替代玉米比例的增加,试验组采食量呈现下降趋势,其中30%、40%替代期采食量极显著低于对照组(P<0.01);与对照组相比,大麦粉替代不同比例玉米对奶牛产奶量影响不一致,20%、30%替代期产奶量增加0.4、0.3kg/d,10%、40%替代期分别下降0.6、0.7kg/d,但差异均不显著(P>0.05);试验组10%、40%替代期乳脂率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而20%、30%替代期乳脂率与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组10%替代期乳蛋白率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而30%、40%替代期显著低于对照组(P<0.05),20%替代期乳蛋白率较对照组下降0.012个百分点,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中用大麦粉替代20%比例的玉米饲喂奶牛,在不影响采食量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率情况下可提升产奶量并降低饲养成本,从而提高经济效益,为最佳替代比例。     

亚硒酸钠维生素E对奶牛生产性能的影响

采用对比试验设计,中国荷斯坦牛试验组与对照组各为30头,试验组30头奶牛围产期(产前、产后15d)开始补喂亚硒酸钠维生素E粉。每天补喂2次,每次15g,产前补喂15d,产后补喂15d。结果表明,试验组奶牛胎衣不下率明显低于对照组;试验组奶牛产后第1次发情平均时间比对照组缩短6d,试验组奶牛产后空怀平均时间比对照组缩短7d;试验组确定妊娠29头比对照组确定妊娠27头多2头,并且情期受胎率和总受胎率试验组比对照组高14%和7%,差异显著(P<0.05);平均产奶量试验组比对照组高12.50%,差异显著(P<0.05)。     

牦牛细管冻精人工授精情期受胎率的观察

对150头母牦牛开展了牦牛细管冻精人工授精试验。试验结果显示:试验母牛在第一情期发情率63.33%,第二情期发情率50.00%,第一情期与第二情期发情差异性不显著﹙P>0.05﹚。第一情期受胎率为53.95%,第二情期受胎率88.46%,第一情期与第二情期受胎率之间差异极显著﹙P<0.01﹚;试验组母牛平均受胎率62.75%与对照组80.00%受胎率之间无差异(P>0.05)。     

促进黄体功能提高奶牛人工授精和胚胎移植受胎率的研究

研究探讨了在人工授精后和胚胎移植过程中注射hCG以促进黄体功能从而提高奶牛的受胎率。试验一:随机选取自然发情后的4~8岁荷斯坦经产奶牛39头进行人工授精,在输精后第5天和第10天,分别肌肉注射hCG2000U/头(试验组)或生理盐水5mL/头(对照组)。在输精后的第0天(输精当天)、第7天、第14天和第21天,每组随机抽取12头牛从颈静脉采血分离血清以测定血清中孕酮浓度。结果hCG处理组牛血浆孕酮浓度在输精后第7、14和21天都显著高于对照组(P<0.05);输精后45d的受胎率在hCG处理组为63.2%,高于对照组的45.0%,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验二:选取16头生殖系统健康、16~17月龄的青年荷斯坦牛作为受体牛,在发情后第7天,对A、B级黄体的牛施行胚胎移植,试验组牛于胚移同时静脉注射6000UhCG,对照组牛则注射生理盐水5mL/头。结果hCG处理牛在胚移后第7和14天的血浆孕酮浓度极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);移植后第35天的受胎率试验组为62.5%,高于对照组的50%,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验结果表明,在人工授精和胚胎移植后特定时间,使用外源hCG能够有效促进黄体发育,提高血液中孕酮浓度,从而一定程度提高母牛受胎率。     

经微量养分强化的4％预混合饲料对经产奶牛繁殖性能的影响

笔者选用120头经产中国荷斯坦牛随机分为对照组和试验组,对照组饲喂原日粮,试验组饲喂添加项目组研制的4%预混合饲料的日粮,研究其对经产奶牛繁殖性能的影响.试验结果显示,项目组研制的4%预混合饲料可以改善经产奶牛繁殖性能.产犊后试验组初次发情天数为34d,对照组为43d;产后60d内发情率和产后第一次配种受胎率试验组与对照组相比分别提高13.2个百分点和32.8个百分点.     

Reproductive efficiency in grazing lactating dairy cows under a programmed reproductive management system

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a reproductive management program consisting of combinations of Ovsynch/TAI and prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) treatments in Holstein dairy cows under a pasture-based dairying system. DESIGN: Field trial. PROCEDURE: A total of 1177 cows in 8 commercial dairy farms were randomly allocated to control and treatment groups. Treatment group cows received one of two interventions depending upon the number of days postpartum (DPP) before the planned start of breeding. Cows more than 50 DPP by the planned start of breeding received the Ovsynch/TAI treatment, consisting of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) - PGF(2alpha)- GnRH plus timed artificial insemination. Cows between 40 and 50 DPP received a PGF(2alpha) treatment followed by oestrus detection and, if the cow was not seen in oestrus, the cow received a second PGF(2alpha) 14 days later. Control cows were submitted to twice a day heat detection followed by artificial insemination. The experimental period was the start of the breeding season plus 21 days for cows over 50 DPP at the start of breeding, and was 40-61 DPP for cows that calved later and passed their voluntary waiting period after the start of the breeding season. RESULTS: Submission rate was higher for the treated group than for the control group (84.9% vs. 55.1%; P < 0.0001), as was the conception rate (51.0% vs. 46.1%; P < 0.03). Due to farm variations, pregnancy rate was similar in both groups (38.5% vs. 28.2%; P > 0.1). Within the treated group, conception rate and pregnancy rate of the cows inseminated after a PGF(2alpha) were higher than for timed artificial inseminated cows (51.4% vs. 32.6%; P < 0.001), and (37.8% vs. 32.6%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A programmed reproductive management protocol may improve reproductive efficiency in dairy farms with seasonal breeding, by increasing submission and conception rates at the beginning of the breeding season and/or at the end of the voluntary waiting period. Fertility of cows bred after a PGF(2alpha) synchronised heat was greater than after an Ovsynch/TAI protocol.     

Comparision of ovulation synchronization (OVSYNCH) with the selective induction of oestrus using PGF2alpha after rectal palpation in a dairy herd

The efficacy of a protocol for the synchronization of ovulation followed by timed Al (OVSYNCH) was compared with a reproductive management protocol based on induction of oestrus after rectal palpation using PGF2alpha on a commercial dairy farm in Brandenburg, Germany. Cows in the OVSYNCH group (n = 309) were treated between 62 and 68 days in milk (DIM) with 0.02 mg of buserelin (GnRH analogue) intramuscularly (i.m.). Seven days later 0.75 mg of tiaprost (PGF2alpha-analogue) were administered i.m. to regress the corpus luteum (C.I.). All cows received a second treatment with GnRH another 48 hrs later and were inseminated 16 to 20 hrs after the second GnRH-treatment (72 to 78 DIM). Cows in the PGF group (n = 302) were examined by rectal palpation between 69 and 75 DIM. Cows with a C.I. received 0.75 mg of tiaprost to induce oestrus. Cows were inseminated on observed oestrus. Cows not inseminated within 14 days after treatment were re-examined between 83 and 89 DIM. For both groups, the voluntary waiting period was set at 72 DIM. Service rate was higher (86.4 vs. 63.2 %, P < 0.05), days to first service (77 +/- 11 vs. 86 +/- 19 days, P < 0.001) and days open (102 +/- 34 vs. 109 +/- 35 days, P < 0.05) were shorter in the OVSYNCH group. First service conception rate (40.3 vs. 42.4 %), conception rate to all services (37.9 vs. 40.0 %) and the proportion of pregnant cows at 200 DIM were similar in the OVSYNCH evaluation for the total costs per pregnancy in 71 different cost scenarios showed only slight differences between the groups. Mean costs per pregnancy were euro 235.43 and euro 235.08 for the OVSYNCH and the PGF group, respectively. Quality of oestrus as assessed by the Al technician did not reveal a relationship to conception rate after OVSYNCH and timed Al. However, swelling, hyperaemia and a moist vestibulum were positively associated with conception rate.     

Reproductive performance of anovulatory anoestrous postpartum dairy cows following treatment with two progesterone and oestradiol benzoate-based protocols, with or without resynchrony

AIMS: (a) To compare the reproductive performance of anovulatory anoestrous (AA) postpartum dairy cows following treatment with 1 of 2 progesterone (P4) and oestradiol benzoate (ODB)-based treatment regimens; (b) To determine whether resynchronisation of cows initially treated for AA would improve reproductive performance and; (c) to determine whether cows not detected in oestrus but with a corpus luteum (CL) present (NDO/CL+), treated with P4 and ODB, would conceive earlier than untreated controls. METHODS: Cows (n=1386) from 11 herds, that had not been detected in oestrus before the start of the seasonal mating period (PSM) and in which a CL was not detected were diagnosed AA, blocked by age (2 or >2 years old), then randomly assigned to be treated with an intravaginal P4-releasing device for either 6 (6-Day group) or 8 days (8-Day group). Cows in the 8-Day group were injected intramuscularly (IM) with 2 mg ODB at device insertion and all cows were injected with 1 mg ODB 24 h after device removal (Day 0). Cows detected in oestrus from Days 0-3 were subsequently assigned to be either resynchronised or left as untreated controls. Resynchronised cows had a used P4-releasing device reinserted on Day 14 for 8 days and were injected with 1 mg ODB at device reinsertion and again 24 h after device removal. NDO/CL+ cows were assigned to be either treated the same as the 8-Day group or left as untreated controls. All cows were inseminated on detection of oestrus and pregnancy tested approximately 10 weeks after the PSM and again 6-8 weeks after the end of the mating period. RESULTS: For AA cows, the 14-day submission rate was similar between 6-Day and 8-Day groups (p0.1). However, the pregnancy rate by Day 14 was higher for the 8-Day than the 6Day group (43.0% vs 35.2%; p=0.006). Resynchrony treatment decreased the 14-day pregnancy rate compared with untreated controls (35.2% vs 42.5%; p=0.026). The resynchrony treatment increased the submission rate between Days 14-28 for non-pregnant cows compared with untreated controls (80.6% vs 57.4%; p=0.049). However, conception rate to resynchronised heats was lower than for cows that returned to oestrus naturally (56.6% vs 67.9%; p=0.025). Neither initial treatment type nor resynchrony treatment increased the 28-day pregnancy rate (p>0.1). There were no differences between treatment groups in the final non-pregnant rate (4.5% vs 4.6%; p>0.1). Treated NDO/CL+ cows had a higher 14-day submission rate (88.1% vs 49.4%; p>0.001), higher 14-day and 28-day pregnancy rates (42.9% vs 20.7%, p>0.001 and; 56.0% vs 42.5%, p=0.094, respectively) and conceived earlier (21 vs 36 days from PSM to median day of conception; p>0.05), than untreated NDO/CL+ cows. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-Day, ODB-P4-ODB treatment regimen resulted in a higher pregnancy rate by 14 days but not 28 days than the 6-Day, P4-ODB treatment. The resynchrony treatment increased the proportion of non-pregnant cows inseminated on days 14-28, but did not increase the 28-day pregnancy rate or final pregnancy rate. Treatment of NDO/CL+ cows with the 8-Day, ODB-P4-ODB treatment improved reproductive performance compared with no treatment.     

Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin

The ability to synchronise onset of oestrus, and hence the time of breeding and calving, offers potential economic and management benefits to dairy farmers, especially in herds with seasonally concentrated calving patterns. A trial involving 2681 cows in 11 seasonal herds was conducted to evaluate the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with a combination of progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin. Cows were randomly assigned within herds to synchronised and control groups, balanced for age, date of calving, body condition and breed. Cows in the synchronised group were treated with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device containing 1.9 g of progesterone and a gelatin capsule containing 10 mg of oestradiol benzoate 10 days prior to the planned start of the breeding season (Day 0). The device was removed 8 days later on Day -2 and a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2alpha was administered 2 days prior to removal of the progesterone-releasing device. Returns to service for cows in the synchronised group were synchronised by inserting a previously used intravaginal device during Days 16-21 after the start of the breeding season. Cows in the control group were left untreated. The percentage of cows being inseminated during the first 5 days was 89.0% for the synchronised group compared to 29.7% for the control group. Compared to cows in the control group, those in the synchronised group had a lower conception rate to the first insemination (52.9% v. 64.3%, p<0.001), a lower conception rate to the second insemination (51.8% v. 62.5%, p<0.001), a higher percentage of empty cows at the end of the breeding season (7.3% v. 5.1%, p<0.05), and more insemination services per pregnancy to artificial insemination (2.0 v. 1.6, p<0.001). There was no difference between the synchronised and control groups in the percentage of cows pregnant to artificial insemination (81.8% v. 85.5%, p>0.10). The mean day of conception from the start of the breeding season was advanced (p>0.0 1) by 1.3 days in synchronised cows (19.9 +/- 0.7 days; mean +/- SEM) compared to control cows (21.2 +/- 0.5 days). It is concluded that the oestrus synchronisation regime used in the present study caused a reduction in fertility, which reduced the potential gains from using such a programme to increase reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.     

Detection of a corpus luteum in apparently anoestrous cows by manual palpation, transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progesterone concentration

AIMS: To determine the level of agreement between transrectal ultrasonography, manual palpation and measurement of progesterone in the detection of corpora lutea in post-partum cows. To evaluate the reproductive performance of cows not detected in oestrus prior to mating, but detected with a corpus luteum at the start of mating. METHODS: Cows from seven herds which were not detected in oestrus were examined between 5 and 7 days before the herd's planned start of mating. Ovaries were examined by palpation and ultrasonography in 160 cows and plasma progesterone concentrations were also measured in 103 cows. Insemination dates and pregnancy data were recorded in 159 cows not detected in oestrus but having a corpus luteum and 1405 cycling herd mates. RESULTS: The level of agreement between ultrasonography and measurement of progesterone (kappa = 0.74) was higher than with manual palpation (kappa = 0.67) although it was significant for both techniques (p <0.001). Cows which were not detected in oestrus, but detected with a corpus luteum had a longer interval to first service (12 v. 10 days, p <0.05) and conception (19 v. 15 days, p = 0.01) than cycling herd mates and had a higher empty rate (9.7% v. 3.8%, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that ultrasonography may provide a better diagnostic tool for examining cows not detected in oestrus than manual palpation or measurement of progesterone concentration. Cows not detected in oestrus but having a corpus luteum were shown to have significantly poorer reproductive performance than cycling herd mates.     

Insemination at the second of two induced oestrous periods in anoestrous dairy cows increases conception rates to first service

AIM: To determine whether mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first, oestrus post pm-turn could increase conception rates to that service. METHODS: Cows diagnosed as anovulatory anoestrus were allocated to two groups, starting treatment on Day -17 (OES2) or on Day -7 (OESI) where the date of the planned start of mating = Day 0. All cows were treated with intravaginal progesterone (CIDR device) for 6 days and an injection of 1 mg oestradiol benzoate 24 h after removal of the device. Cows in the OES2 group were also injected with prostaglandin F2alpha on Day 0. RESULTS: During the first 7 days of mating, 61.8% (207/335) and 88.2% (328/372) of cows in the OES2 and OESl groups, respectively, were inseminated on detection of oestrus (p <0.001). Oestrus without ovulation occurred in 1.5% of cows in the OES2 group and 6.2% of cows in the OESl group during this period (p <0.01). Of those cows inseminated in the first week of mating, conception rates were 54.0% in the OES2 group and 45.5% in the OESl group (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in median interval from start of mating to conception between the two groups (24 and 22 days for OES2 and OESl, respectively, p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first oestrus post partum increased conception rates to that service. However, median intervals from start of mating to conception were not altered.     

Effects of a Progesterone‐Based Oestrous Synchronization Protocol in 51‐ to 57‐Day Postpartum High‐Producing Dairy Cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying a progesterone‐based oestrous synchronization protocol at 51–57 days postpartum in high‐producing dairy cows. The data analysed were derived from 1345 lactating cows. Cows between 51 and 57 days postpartum were assigned to the groups: control, PRID (receiving a progesterone‐releasing intravaginal device for 9 days, and prostaglandin F_2α 24 h before PRID removal) or GnRH–PRID (the same as the PRID group plus GnRH at PRID insertion). Oestrus was detected by using pedometers and confirmed by examination of the genital tract at AI. Oestrous and conception rates before days 71–77 postpartum, pregnancy loss in early pregnant cows or the cumulative conception rate registered on day 120 postpartum were considered as the dependent variables in four consecutive logistic regression analyses. Based on the odds ratios, the oestrous rate increased by a factor of 1.73 in cows showing oestrus before treatment for each unit increase in the number of previous oestruses; decreased by a factor of 0.44 in the control group with respect to the treatment groups; and by a factor of 0.61 in cows without luteal structures at treatment with respect to cows with corpora lutea. The conception rates of cows inseminated before days 71–77 postpartum remained similar across the groups, whereas the likelihood of pregnancy loss for cows becoming pregnant during this period was 0.11 times lower in the PRID group than in the control. Based on the odds ratio, the likelihood of a higher cumulative conception rate on day 120 postpartum: increased in cows showing oestrus before treatment by a factor of 1.41 for each unit increase in the number of previous oestruses, was reduced 0.56‐fold in control cows compared with treated cows, and was also reduced by a factor of 0.98 for each kilogram of milk production increase recorded at treatment. In conclusion, although oestrous synchronization programmes performed in this study did not improve fertility, cows treated with progesterone could be inseminated earlier than untreated cows, such that the treatments increased the cumulative pregnancy rates determined on day 120 postpartum. In addition, fewer pregnancy losses were observed in early pregnant cows in the PRID group than the GnRH–PRID group.     

高产奶牛孕检后同期发情程序选择的研究

为了研究适用于高产奶牛的同期发情程序方案,将218头膘情良好、子宫和卵巢发育正常的不同胎次荷斯坦牛随机分成两组,试验1组为106头,试验2组为112头,分别采用两种同期程序(0.5.6.8和0.7.8.9)进行处理,测定情期受胎率,用于评价两种同期程序对高产奶牛的适用性。结果表明,试验2组情期受胎率平均为41.96%,显著高于试验1组的平均情期受胎率30.19%(P<0.01);将参与试验的218头牛根据胎次分成1胎组、2胎组和3胎及以上组,分析不同胎次对输精效果的影响,2胎情期受胎率最高为40.68%,与1胎情期受胎率存在显著差异(P<0.05),3胎及以上的情期受胎率最低为28.79%,与2胎、1胎存在极差异显著(P<0.01)。     

Comparison of a camera - software system and typical farm management for detecting oestrus in dairy cattle at pasture

AIM: To compare the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy of detection of oestrus using a novel oestrus detection strip (ODS) and a camera-software device (CSD) with typical farm management practices of visual observation and use of tail paint in dairy cattle at pasture. METHODS: Dairy cows (n = 480) in a seasonal-calving herd managed at pasture under typical commercial conditions in New Zealand were stratified by age, body condition score and days in milk, then randomly allocated to one of two groups prior to the planned start of mating (PSM). Tail paint was applied to all cows and oestrus detected by visual observation of oestrous behaviour and removal of paint, by farm staff. One group (n = 240) was fitted with ODS and also monitored for signs of oestrus using a CSD, while the Control group (n = 240) was monitored using tail paint and visual observations only. Cows detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI), and pregnancy status determined using rectal palpation and ultrasonography, 51-52 days after the end of a 55-day A period. Results of pregnancy diagnosis were used to confirm the occurrence of oestrus, and the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and accuracy of detection of oestrus compared between oestrus detection methods. RESULTS: The sensitivity and accuracy of oestrus detection in the Control group, using visual observation and tail paint, were low. Compared with the Control group, detection of oestrus using the ODS and CSD resulted in greater sensitivity (85% vs 78%; p = 0.006), specificity (99.6% vs 98.0%; p < 0.001), positive predictive value (PPV; 88% vs 51%; p < 0.001) and overall accuracy (99.0% vs 98.0%; p < 0.001). Negative predictive value (NPV) did not differ significantly between groups (99.4% vs 99.3%; p = 0.28). Pregnancy rate to first service was higher in the CSD group than in the Control group (72% vs 39%; p < 0.05). Use of the CSD significantly increased the cumulative proportion of cows pregnant to AI over the breeding period (p = 0.044). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ODS and CSD was satisfactory for detection of oestrus in seasonal calving dairy herds grazing on pasture and could improve the sensitivity and accuracy of detection of oestrus in herds where these are low.     

Shortening the Postpartum Anoestrous Interval in Suckled Crossbred Dual Purpose Cows Using Progestagen Intravaginal Sponges plus eCG and PGF2α

One hundred and twenty‐six suckled crossbred cows (Bos taurus × Bos indicus), with body condition score ≥3 (1–5 point scale), were employed in the present study to evaluate the effectiveness of intravaginal progestin‐releasing sponges (IVS) for shortening anoestrous interval. Fifty‐four cows were assigned to control group. Seventy‐two cows were treated with IVS impregnated with 250 mg of medroxy‐acetate‐progesterone (MAP) as follows: day 0, IVS plus 5 mg of 17β‐E and 50 mg of MAP i.m.; day 6, 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin and 25 mg prostaglandin F_2α i.m.; day 8, IVS withdrawal and day 9, 1 mg 17β‐E i.m. Cows were also grouped according to postpartum days (dpp) at treatment: MAP <70 days (n = 25); control <70 days (n = 22); MAP >70 days (n = 47); control >70 days (n = 32). From IVS removal, cows were detected in oestrus and inseminated. Cows not detected in oestrus were timed artificial insemination 72 h after sponge removal. Treatment effect on oestrous rate (ER), conception rate (CR), pregnancy rate (PR) and treatment to conception intervals (TCI) and calving to conception intervals (CCI) were evaluated. The ER, CR and PR were analysed using proc logistic , while TCI and CCI with proc glm of SAS. The groups MAP <70 days and MAP >70 days showed higher (p < 0.01) ER than control <70 days and control >70 days (84.0% and 76.6% vs 31.8% and 31.3% respectively). The PR was higher (p < 0.01) in MAP <70 days vs control <70 days (64.0% vs 22.7%) and also higher (p < 0.05) in MAP >70 days vs control <70 days (40.4% vs 18.8%). The TCI and CCI were shorter (p < 0.01) in MAP <70 days vs control <70 days (36.0 and 95.8 days; 95.3 and 158.6 days respectively). In conclusion, only cows treated with IVS before 70 dpp had a CCI shorter than 100 days, consequently this treatment shortened postpartum anoestrous interval in crossbred dual purpose cattle.